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LOCATION: Rümlang, Switzerland Photo above is property of Mission: Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Nightmare Hotel 📅 DATE PLAYED: December 31, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Spooky 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $32.50-$50.00 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (49:50) 📖 THE STORY You set off on a trip but a wrong turn leaves you wandering the wilderness. Darkness has fallen when you spot a light. As you get closer, you see an impressive building and a large sign above the entrance: DREAMS HOTEL You enter but when the doors slam behind you, you already know that the dream is about to turn into a nightmare! Video above is property of Mission: Escape 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Stepping inside, you immediately sense that this is not a hotel you want to spend any extended period of time in. The atmosphere is dark and creepy and you are never quite sure what might be lurking around the corner! There are numerous rooms to explore and a novel elevator gimmick that has players creatively 'moving' between the hotel's floors. The rooms are thematic, but not overly produced; the use of props to layer on immersion is minimal, but the overall design and construction is to a high and professional standard. There is some story development, which although is not prominent throughout the game, does create an interesting arc that provides some conclusions at the game's end... Plus it allows for more jump scares! Talking of scares… The room will definitely have you jump from time to time with some well-placed and timed special effects, however the scare level is light (there are no actors inside) so it shouldn’t detract people from giving it a go. This is a linear room that has some very interesting and challenging puzzles to complete. A strong attention to detail is required regarding your surroundings, and how the puzzles, themselves, look is important to achieving success. Players will find a lot of objects to interact with which are relatable to either the hotel or the ghost themes and we enjoyed how they worked with the story. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The rooms do look a little too polished and manufactured, there is a lack of authentic props and at times that ‘realism factor’ which allows for optimum immersion. More variety with the puzzles, including team-based challenges would have been welcome. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Although a step up in terms of its scare factor over the Horror Circus, another game at this location, Nightmare Hotel still doesn’t cross the line into the genre of Horror for me, therefore this is still a game we recommend for people wanting an adrenaline rush or an opportunity to try something spooky! If you have an eye for detail then this is the room for you. Much of the game’s difficulty comes from paying close attention to the details, rather than your ability to break codes or solve logic puzzles, etc. So this is an ideal adventure for those seeking a mental challenge. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking onsite There is a lobby with lockers for you to store your belongings This game is probably ok for people in wheelchairs since the rooms are so spacious Although not owned by the game company, this escape room is situated in a mall with several other activities such as trampolining and puzzle rooms. Photos above are property of Mission: Escape (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Mission: Escape for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MissionEscape #Spooky #Rumlang #Switzerland

LOCATION: Rümlang, Switzerland Photo above is property of Mission: Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : White House Down 📅 DATE PLAYED : December 31, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 75 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $32.50-$50.00 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (52:10) 📖 THE STORY Suddenly the White House is attacked by terrorists. Security precautions are immediately triggered and the president is taken to a bunker. Meanwhile, the attackers have activated a secret suitcase to launch a nuclear attack on the world. Your team has to find the suitcase and disable the missile launch before it's too late! Video above is property of Mission: Escape 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Despite the room not being Oval, the quality of the décor and thoughtfulness of the props still ensure you know exactly where you are. The office of the President of the United States! The colour scheme, presidential rug, furniture, and numerous historic paintings create an immersive environment. We enjoyed how spacious the rooms were, making this an ideal game for larger teams to freely move around in without tripping over one another. The progression of the puzzles makes sense with regard to the story. There are several steps which must be taken in order to first discover the whereabouts of the case, then retrieve it, access it, and finally work out how to disarm it. We enjoyed this transition and felt that the theming of the puzzles was on point. Additionally, the puzzles were all interesting to complete and offered a mix of padlocks to open and tech-based tasks. The variety of things was limited, mostly searching and deduction or codebreaking, but they still managed to be engaging and dynamic by design. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The one thing missing from this game was team-based challenges. Although many of the puzzles are tricky and benefit from the mental power of multiple players, the fact is that this room could be completed solo. multi-player puzzles would therefore be of benefit to encourage team cooperation. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a challenging game with lots of puzzles to work through. Those teams who enjoy thought provoking challenges that require and eye for detail will enjoy how this room tests you. The décor and story also work well making this an immersive adventure! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking onsite There is a lobby with lockers for you to store your belongings This game is probably ok for people in wheelchairs since the rooms are so spacious Although not owned by the game company, this escape room is situated in a mall with several other activities such as trampolining and puzzle rooms. Photos above are property of Mission: Escape (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Mission: Escape for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MissionEscape #Thriller #Rumlang #Switzerland

LOCATION: Dietikon, Switzerland Photo above is property of Mission: Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : H. Potter - The Magical Trial 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 21, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 100-195 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (49:00) 📖 THE STORY Our Headmaster is gone... The Dark Lord's powers are now stronger than ever. His army of wizards and evil creatures has grown, and all the obstacles of the past are now overcome with the help of his loyal servants. There is only one thing blocking his path to control of the wizarding world: our school. You have one hour to awaken the ancient powers of our castle that will help us defend and destroy it. Video above is property of Mission: Escape 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This is the newest of the rooms at their Dietikon location and it looks it. The room is packed with lots of technical wizardry and Harry Potter themed props. Although I am not a big fan of the franchise, I could appreciate all the nods to this world and am sure fans will feel immersed by recognizing many of the elements within. Getting to play with wands is always a plus in any escape room. Here the wands worked well and the actions were simple, this I believe, will make it more enjoyable and accessible to younger families. The puzzles were all thematic and offered a wide range of activities. From searching, to memory, deduction, and of course casting spells. The hidden tech inside ensures the results of each completed puzzle appear quite magical. There were also a good number of things to do. We were surprised with the number of puzzles and the complexity of some of them, in a positive way! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Like most Harry Potter themed rooms, the story is somewhat lacking and doesn’t play a significant role in what you are doing or how the puzzles work. Although the puzzles were a lot of fun to complete, I am not sure how they helped our mission to once again defeat the Dark Lord. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Obviously, this is a room for any Harry Potter fan and whilst it is accessible for young families, that doesn’t mean that it is too simple or easy! We were challenged on a couple of occasions, so there is likely something inside for everyone. Although the room allows for up to six people, I wouldn’t recommend playing with more than four. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Lobby area with seating available Lockers available and toilets accessible before and after the game Photos above are property of Mission: Escape (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Mission: Escape for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MissionEscape #HarryPotter #Thriller #Dietikon #Switzerland

LOCATION: Dietikon, Switzerland Photo above is property of Mission: Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Saw 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 21, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 100-195 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (47:26) 📖 THE STORY You wake up in a dark, cold place and can’t move. After your eyes adjust to the darkness, you realize that you are chained in a basement! Suddenly you hear a voice that says: “I want to play a game”. That’s when you realize you’ve fallen into the hands of the infamous Jigsaw Killer! Your only chance to survive is to solve his puzzles and escape before he returns. Video above is property of Mission: Escape 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE There is no mistaking that this is a Saw-themed room, particularly with the props found in the first room and the creepy “I want to play a game…” intro. Overall the look of the room is sinister, providing an immediate and thematic realization that you are alone and in trouble! We found the props and set design to strike a good balance, they weren’t scary in any way but helped maintain the immersion throughout. Coupled with the professional set design there were some nice, but small, special effects that gave the odd jump scare and kept the heart racing. These were thoughtful touches that added to the overall experience. We appreciated the multi-layered puzzles that had us either gather more than one element or piece of information before we could complete them, this provided more depth and complexity. Several of the puzzles also had a correlation with one another and the story, such as restoring electricity and using it to escape. The very first puzzle was our favourite, immediately giving one player the power of life and death over their teammates. We hadn’t seen this before, and although a simple trick, it was effective and had us come back to look at it again after the game had ended. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There wasn’t any depth to the story. Essentially it was just a classic escape room; solve the puzzles and get out… the Saw theme could really have been anything. So, some twists or plot development would have enhanced the experience. Our GM was clearly not watching us. On one occasion we needed a clue and were waving and shouting for over a minute. Once she did respond she had to ask where we were in the room, which again demonstrated she hadn’t been paying attention. She also didn’t realize we had finished until we approached the reception desk after walking back from the game room. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " The Saw " provides a good gateway for people who might never have played a horror game before but would like to try. Although I wouldn’t personally describe it is a horror game, it will provide people with a little taste of how they will feel in a darker and more tense environment. Although the room allows for up to six people, I wouldn’t recommend playing with more than four. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Lobby area with seating available Lockers available and toilets accessible before and after the game Photos above are property of Mission: Escape (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Mission: Escape for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MissionEscape #Thriller #Saw #Dietikon #Switzerland

LOCATION: Dietikon, Switzerland Photo above is property of Mission: Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Minotaur's Labyrinth 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 21, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 100-195 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (30:33) 📖 THE STORY Congratulations! You managed to find and overpower the dangerous bull-man Minotaur in his prison, the Labyrinth. However, you are now trapped in his maze. King Minos and Zeus, the father of the gods, and their armies have set out to take revenge on you! Will you find your way back to freedom? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The room is decorated nicely with lots of nods to the ancient Greek theme, such as props and paintings. The space is very open plan making it accessible for larger teams to play and navigate easily without tripping over each other. The puzzles were the highlight of this room for us. Despite being basically a Gen-1 room there are still interesting puzzles which have been designed and placed in such a way that they constantly have you navigate around the entire space making the game feel more dynamic. We are always on the lookout for rooms that feature multi-person puzzles, and here we found a couple that cannot be completed without good teamwork and communication. The aspect of being inside a labyrinth isn’t particularly strong until the last puzzle, which does have you traverse a maze of sorts, this we liked. Plus, if you didn’t do it right the first time, you potentially had to go back right to the start and begin over. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK As experienced escapers we did find the puzzles to be a bit too simple for our tastes, but that definitely didn’t make them bad. They were all logically correct, even if they didn’t relate to any kind of particular storyline. The decoration was also too minimal. We felt they could have pushed the labyrinth theme much harder by actually putting up walls and creating long dark passages to make us feel like we were actually in one; rather than just being in one very large room. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Although this might not be a wholly fulfilling adventure for experienced players who look for more story depth and engaging puzzles, I would definitely recommend this to beginners who are just getting into the hobby. The game play is simple and shouldn’t overwhelm anyone, plus the area is spacious and means more players can join the game. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Lobby area with seating available Lockers are available and toilets accessible before and after the game This room will close at this location in late 2023/early 2024 to make way for a new room. Photos above are property of Mission: Escape Update: "Minotaur's Labyrinth" is no longer available. Check out their other rooms! Disclosure : We thank Mission: Escape for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MissionEscape #Adventure #Dietikon #Switzerland

LOCATION: Perth, WA, Australia Photo above is property of ESCAPE THIS (Perth) Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Entombed 📅 DATE PLAYED : December 14, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $39.00 - $60.00/ pp (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : No 📖 THE STORY Dr. Smith, the famous archaeologist who devoted his life to discovering the treasure of Pharaoh Khufu in Egypt, has gone missing for months. You are unsure if Dr. Smith has found the treasure or not. But now you start to believe it may be true that Pharaoh Khufu has returned since you are locked in Dr. Smith’s study! Can you find out what happened to Dr. Smith and escape from the curse of Pharaoh Khufu? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE I liked how the game flowed from beginning to end. It had a thrilling twist and surprise. The entire space for the game was not that big. Yet, each room had a different atmosphere to make the story more dramatic. The decor of the rooms looked polished. I felt immersed in the game. There were various types of puzzles in this game. Those fit the Egyptian or archaeological theme nicely. I enjoyed one mechanical gimmick that was eye-catching. I loved how the game master introduced the room to us. We closed our eyes, and the game master guided us into the room. I enjoyed the first Wow! moment when I opened my eyes at the beginning of the game. There was a guiding character only with a voice that gave us probably pre-recorded hints. Although it didn’t work well for us this time, the hint system helps to keep players immersed in the world. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK It would be nice if a small flashlight was available for those who have difficulty seeing in a dim room. I appreciated the hint system that kept us immersed in the game. Yet, I wish there was an option to communicate with the game master directly to receive the specific hint that we needed. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? “ Entombed ” was a fun and thrilling Egyptian-themed escape room. There were plenty of puzzles to solve in this game. It might start with the ordinary study of archaeologists. Still, it gets more exciting as the game unfolds. This game is perfect for family and friends. If you want a thrilling adventure, why don’t you visit Dr. Smith’s office and experience the curse of Pharaoh Khufu? ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Escape This Hay St Mall is located at the heart of Perth’s central district. There are many shops and restaurants in this area. Photos above are property of ESCAPE THIS (Perth) (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank ESCAPE THIS for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ChikakoOmura #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #ESCAPETHIS #Adventure #WesternAustralia #Australia

Photo above is property of Thames & Kosmos Company: Thames & Kosmos Game: Nunatak: Temple of Ice Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬 Genre: Family Adventure Date Played: December 20, 2024 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 2-4 ppl (Ages 10+) Time: Approximately 30-45 Mins. Price: $39.95 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 In Antarctica, peaks of rock and ice stick out of the snowy surface called Nunataks. Some believe that they are the remains of giant ice temples built by forgotten civilizations such as yourself. Using your tools and braving the harsh conditions, work together to build an ice temple but be careful. Whoever places their ice blocks in the best locations will win this game. Video above is property of Thames & Kosmos 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ There was a lot to unpack when opening the box. There were many sheets of cardboard tiles that needed to be punched out for the different levels of the nunatak, ice blocks of different colour, cards depicting people of different trades and much more. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 After setting the game up, which was made much easier with the instruction guide, we dove right into the game. We were pleasantly surprised at how simple the game was. On each turn, a player would choose one of the four building cards laid out, find a tile with a matching building card symbol and place an ice block on it. That's it! Then, It is the next person’s turn. As the game progresses, the nunatak is built upwards until all three levels are complete. There were many ways to score points to determine the winner at the end. During the game, players would earn points based on whoever would have the most ice blocks in a single square as well as on the 2nd and 3rd levels, you earn additional points based on how many of your ice blocks were below. At the end, the remainder of the points would be scored based on which building cards you collected. Different card types score differently. For example, the player with the most builder cards would receive 20 points while others would receive 2 points per card. Beast of burden cards score based on the number of cards collected multiplied by the number of symbols on them. This game can accommodate 1 to 4 players, with slight rule adjustments and extra scoring options for different player counts. Three players seem to be the sweet spot for the best experience. All the components were top-notch quality from the cardboard tiles to the colorful plastic ice blocks. The only items that seemed out of place were the overview cards, which were made of thin paper. The rules were easy for kids to understand and could be taught as we played. There was also enough variety in gameplay to keep everyone engaged. The overview card did have a checklist to help ensure all points were counted as we played and at the end. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🆁🅰🆃🅴🅶🆈 There was so much going on with the scoring that it was overwhelming at first. One thing we noticed was that the winning person focused on collecting only one or 2 types of cards. When placing blocks, try to spread out where you place blocks if possible. To win points in a square, you can get away with two blocks in a bottom 4x4 to guarantee points and then build up from those blocks. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 At first, we were a little overwhelmed with all the components to be set up, but once we got the game going, we quickly realized how easy and straightforward the game was. The game was simple enough for the kids to get a hang of and there were enough strategic elements for the adults. We appreciated that we never felt that there was any wrong move and that we never knew who was going to win until the very end. The components were excellent, and it was incredibly satisfying to place the temple cap on top and admire the beautifully completed Nunatak when the game was over. Check out our interview with the creators to understand more on the development side of the game: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Thames & Kosmos for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #OneOffs #Family #Adventure #ThamesandKosmos #USA

LOCATION: Schöftland, Switzerland Photo above is property of GAME OVER Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Chocolate Factory 📅 DATE PLAYED : December 6, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Family 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 92 - 180 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [21:28] 📖 THE STORY You are tasked with sneaking into Switzerland’s most famous chocolate factory. Once inside you must understand how their top secret machine works and then steal the recipe to the best chocolate ever made! Video above is property of GAME OVER Escape Rooms 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Stepping inside was certainly a ‘feast’ for the eyes. The walls are all brightly painted and there are even huge (fake) candies adorning the walls. The visual appearance is definitely going to impress all the mini-players. Knowing that this theme is going to attract a younger crowd, Game Over have done a good job making this game very accessible in terms of difficulty. As experienced players it was perhaps a bit too easy for us; I think the room record is about 14 minutes, but for young families, it’s at a very appropriate level and a good gateway experience into the world of escape rooms. Even though we found the puzzles to be easy, they were still thematic and varied, offering many different styles of task, whether it be searching, decoding, constructing, or even smelling. All in all, this resulted in a fairly dynamic and interactive experience. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Although the room did look visually appealing, there wasn’t a lot of substance to the design and the materials could have been to a higher standard. The layout was bland, offering no surprises; all the puzzles, except the ‘machine’, were mounted to each of the four walls. Unfortunately, for us, the story fell away a bit too quickly. We had expected more emphasis to be put on finding the recipe and uncovering interesting secretive plans for the mysterious machine, but ultimately this didn’t materialise the way we would have hoped. Again, this might have been because of who their target audience is likely to be. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? For young players, or people with limited escape room exposure, this could be a ‘tasty’ experience. But, for those who’ve played a few rooms, you might feel there is little substance to be had and escaping in under 30 minutes is an incredibly strong possibility. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is ample free parking on site There is a lobby area with some seating and lockers Adjacent to the escape rooms is an American-themed diner, a cinema, a go-kart race track, which are all owned by the same person Photos above are property of GAME OVER Escape Rooms Check out our interview with the owner to learn more about GAME OVER + an exclusive tour of their headquarters in Athens, Greece: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank GAME OVER Escape Rooms (Schoftland)  for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #GAMEOVER #Adventure #Family #Schoftland #Switzerland

LOCATION: St. Louis, Missouri, USA Photo above is property of Adventures of Intrigue Photo above is property of Adventures of Intrigue 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Save the Queen 📅 DATE PLAYED : December 1, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl (Ages 13+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $35.00/ pp (Min. 2 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY After being summoned by the king to undertake a royal quest, you and your friends are tasked with finding his beloved queen, who has mysteriously disappeared. Your journey takes you across the kingdom, embarking on an epic fantasy adventure filled with intrigue, danger, and hidden truths. As the king’s trusted party, it is up to you to search far and wide throughout the realm, piecing together clues, solving intricate puzzles, and decoding the mysteries surrounding the queen’s vanishing. 🎭   THE EXPERIENCE Adventures of Intrigue takes the concept of escape rooms to a whole new level with what they call an open-concept escape experience. Set within a massive 9,500 square foot facility, the space is divided into numerous themed sections, each offering a unique adventure to embark on. With nearly 12 distinct adventures to choose from, every storyline and setting feels fresh and different, ensuring a diverse and exciting experience no matter which path you select. The overarching story behind Adventures of Intrigue is that it is a magical library where the stories from the books come to life. Each story has found its home within the library, and now it is up to you and your team to step into these tales, reliving the adventures they hold. The immersive nature of the space transforms it into a living, breathing storybook, making you feel as though you’ve walked directly into the pages of a fantastical novel. Throughout the experience, you'll uncover puzzles, clues, and props that are marked with stickers featuring symbols or pictures unique to your chosen adventure. This clever system helps keep the gameplay streamlined, even amidst the multitude of stories and puzzles spread across the facility. It allows each group to focus solely on their mission without getting sidetracked by elements from other adventures. These experiences are designed to be completed in approximately 60 minutes, but the pace is entirely dependent on your group’s problem-solving skills and puzzle comprehension. While some adventures are designed to challenge even seasoned enthusiasts, others cater to families and younger audiences, making it a fantastic destination for players of all skill levels and ages. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The open-concept escape room experience was an absolute blast. It felt much more like a scavenger hunt, but with an added layer of discovery and engagement, as every clue or puzzle led to something exciting and unique to interact with. This open-world design gave the game a refreshing and exploratory feel, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the adventure while constantly uncovering new surprises. One of the standout aspects of this format was its inherent addictiveness. While working on our specific case, we frequently stumbled upon other puzzles, clues, and stickers that belonged to different adventures. This added an extra layer of curiosity and temptation, sparking an interest in what else the facility had to offer. It’s hard not to want to come back and try one of the other storylines when you see glimpses of their potential throughout your own journey. The use of themed areas and spaces enhanced the experience. For " Save the Queen ", a fantasy-themed adventure, we stayed primarily in the fantasy section of the facility, which was a delight. The puzzles, environments, and physical interactions we encountered felt completely in line with the story, creating believable and immersive locations for us to explore. Each task felt like a natural part of our quest, seamlessly integrating into the game world without feeling out of place or forced. The hint system here was particularly inventive and immersive. Instead of relying on technology or breaking the flow of the game, Adventures of Intrigue incorporated in-universe characters called "librarians" (staff members) stationed throughout the space. These librarians were always available to lend a hand if needed, staying in character and contributing to the experience. Additionally, there was a "research desk," stocked with various cards and tools to help players who might be unfamiliar with certain outside knowledge required to solve puzzles. This clever feature not only kept players immersed in the game but also eliminated the need to rely on phones or external technology, keeping the experience firmly rooted in the story. The finale of our adventure did not disappoint, delivering a few jaw-dropping moments that brought the entire narrative together. It felt incredibly satisfying to see the story wrap up in a way that made us feel like we had accomplished something significant. The conclusion was a perfect mix of excitement and closure, leaving us with a strong sense of triumph and fulfillment. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A notable drawback of " Save the Queen " is that at times, the experience leans toward feeling like a blend of a scavenger hunt and worksheet puzzles rather than a fully immersive escape room. In certain instances, players are required to rely on minor signage or environmental clues to solve the initial part of a puzzle, which then transitions into completing the puzzle on a dry erase sheet of paper. While the puzzles themselves are creative and well-designed—some offering unique challenges not commonly seen—the reliance on this format can disrupt the immersive flow of the experience. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Adventures of Intrigue is a truly remarkable concept that transforms the escape room experience into something entirely unique and magical. The interconnected themed areas, inspired by stories and books that come to life, create a sense of wonder and excitement that is rarely found elsewhere. The open-concept design allows for exploration and discovery at your own pace, fostering a childlike curiosity as you uncover secret passages, unlock new adventures, and delve into the possibilities of the space. The opportunities for creativity in this format feel nearly limitless, giving the space a significant edge over traditional escape rooms. One of the standout features is the relaxed, untimed nature of the experience. This design choice makes the space more approachable for a wide range of participants, including those who might not normally consider themselves escape room enthusiasts. It fosters an enjoyable and stress-free atmosphere, ideal for families, beginners, or anyone looking to learn and improve their puzzle-solving skills without the pressure of a clock. While the space does cater to enthusiasts and experienced players with challenging games, it is also built with families and younger audiences in mind, offering options specifically designed for children aged 10 and under. The staff at Adventures of Intrigue enhances the experience significantly. They strike the perfect balance between being attentive and allowing groups the freedom to explore, ensuring that everyone feels supported without breaking the immersion. Their enthusiasm and dedication contribute to the welcoming and engaging atmosphere of the space. What sets Adventures of Intrigue apart is its innovative approach to escape rooms. Instead of relying solely on high-tech gadgets or extravagant scenic design, this experience focuses on creating a layered, immersive world that encourages exploration, storytelling, and collaboration. The effort and passion poured into crafting the space are evident in every detail, making it a standout example of how escape rooms can evolve and innovate. For anyone in St. Louis—or even beyond—this is an experience worth seeking out. Whether you're a seasoned puzzle solver, a family looking for a fun outing, or someone new to escape rooms, Adventures of Intrigue offers something for everyone. It’s one of the best immersive experiences in the area and a shining example of how escape rooms can inspire creativity and wonder. If you enjoy solving puzzles or simply exploring imaginative worlds, this is a must-visit destination. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Party and Event Room Quiet/Sensory room part of the open concept Photos above are property of Adventures of Intrigue (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Adventures of Intrigue for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #AdventuresofIntrigue #Fantasy #Adventure #StLouis #Missouri #USA

Photo above is property of Arcane Wonders Company: Arcane Wonders Game: Smartphone Inc. Designer:    Ivan Lashin Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Game (Board Game) 📬 Genre: Economic Eurogame Mechanics:    Area Majority, Network Building Date Played: September 15, 2024 Difficulty (based on 5 players): 7/10 Size of Team: 1 to 5 ppl Time: Unlimited (Approximately 60-90 Mins.) Price: $31.49 USD 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 " Smartphone Inc. " is a strategic economic board game that puts players in the role of CEO's of competing tech companies during the rise of the smartphone industry. Set in the early 2000s, players must make key business decisions to outmaneuver rivals, dominate global markets, and maximize profits. Each round, players simultaneously plan their actions by secretly arranging their company's production and pricing strategy. Will you develop cutting-edge technology, expand into new markets, or optimize manufacturing costs to undercut competitors? Every decision can make or break your company’s success in the fast-paced world of tech. 🆃🅷🅴 🅲🅾🅼🅿🅾🅽🅴🅽🆃🆂 I have to be upfront and say that visually, I do not find the game to be overly appealing, particularly the main board. Indeed, this is what put me off backing the game on Kickstarter. For me, the artwork is too bland and sterile, it doesn’t grab my attention, making me want to sit at the table and stare at it for the next hour or so. However, I do appreciate that it is trying to capture the tech aesthetics of the early 2000’s, so in that sense it is successfully thematic. The quality of the components is very good. The main board is double layered for an added element of luxury, whilst the tiles are both thick and oversized, making them easy to read and handle. The plastic cubes are color coded for each player and come in three different shapes, making them easy to identify on the board by use. I do wish that the game box came with an insert to properly store everything, although there are small trays for storing each players cubes, which are functional during the game also. For others, who like me, prefer storage inserts, there are a number of suppliers online who do sell custom packets. The Rule Book is another success, it is well written and illustrated with real time examples. However, I would have liked more detail regarding Stage 7, the process of selling your goods. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 The game takes place over five rounds, each representing a year of business. Each round is broken down into eight stages. Plan Actions: In the first phase, each player secretly arranges two double-sided planning tiles (Pads) on their board, overlapping them in various ways. These tiles represent different actions (e.g., setting prices, increasing production, improving logistics, researching new technologies). The symbols that remain visible after placing and overlapping the tiles dictate what actions a player can take during the round. The planning stage is critical because it limits your available actions and sets your strategy for the round, combining foresight and tactical depth. Set Prices : Players then set the price of their smartphones. Lower prices allow for increased sales, but lower profit margins. Higher prices yield greater profits, but limit market reach. The challenge is finding the right balance for each round. The price you choose in this step also impacts turn order for the rest of the round, with lower prices getting to act first. Production : Based on their planning, players manufacture smartphones, or Goods, as they are called in the game. These will be sold to the different regions of the world. The goods produced in this phase will be used during Step 7. Improve Production : Players who have chosen the Improve Production action during the planning phase gain additional action tiles. These tiles can be used in future rounds to expand a player’s flexibility in planning, by offering extra actions such as increased production, new market expansion, or research opportunities, depending on how they are used. Players who did not activate the Improve Production icon will take a Goods token instead, this will also be used in future turns and provides the player with one more Goods cube. Research Technologies : Players can invest in research to unlock new technologies. These technologies give players special abilities that persist throughout the game, providing advantages, such as improved logistics, marketing strategies, or the ability to produce advanced models of smartphones. The first player to complete each research station will receive additional Victory Points (VP) at the game’s end, but will also make it easier for their competitors to complete their own research by lowering the ‘cost’ by one. Logistics : Players with the Logistics action revealed on their Pads can expand their distribution network by gaining access to new regions or countries. This allows players to sell smartphones in previously unavailable markets, broadening their reach and potentially increasing their sales and profits. Expanding logistics is crucial for dominating the global market and staying ahead of competitor Selling Goods : In this phase, players attempt to sell their Goods. The number of units sold depends on the market demand in different regions and the player's price. Players who set lower prices and/or who have researched more technologies will have an advantage in selling more units, but they may sacrifice profits VP. Any units which a player is unable to sell will be lost and returned to their supply. Receiving VP : After selling goods, players calculate their profits based on the number of Goods sold and the price per unit. However, beyond profits, players also score VP for controlling regions. Control is determined by who sells the most Goods in a region. Both profits and market dominance are crucial for maximizing VP; the player with the most Victory Points after five rounds wins the game. Key Mechanics : Tile Placement & Action Selection : The core of the game’s strategy revolves around how players arrange their action tiles. Covering or revealing certain symbols can drastically change their approach each round, making for a highly tactical experience. Price Wars : The dynamic pricing system means players must constantly adjust their strategy, anticipating opponents' moves while maintaining a profitable business. Global Expansion & Area Control : Dominating different markets is crucial to success. Players need to make careful decisions about where and how to sell their products, as competition can be fierce. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅴🅽🅳 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🆂🅲🅾🆁🅸🅽🅶 Victory Points are calculated at the end of each round, as described above. However, at the end of the fifth round, additional VPs from Technologies and other bonuses are also added to give the final score for each player. The player with the highest score wins! 🆁🅴🆃🅰🅸🅻🅴🆁🆂 In the Retail Variant, the game adjusts to create a balanced experience when fewer than five players are participating. Retailer tiles are placed over specific regions of the game board, based on the number of players. This effectively “shrinks” the map, maintaining competition and tension as players vie to sell Goods in the remaining open markets. Despite some regions being closed off, players can still place Offices in these areas, which will yield significant VP at the end of the game. 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅸🅼🅿🆁🅴🆂🆂🅸🅾🅽🆂 " Smartphone Inc.'s " core gameplay centers around the strategic decisions you make in secret during the first phase, using your action pads. The icons you leave uncovered determine your resources and abilities for the rest of the round. It's here that you must decide where to focus your efforts, on advancing your company's technology, improving logistics, or boosting manufacturing capacity. Or perhaps you’ll try to balance all three. This creates a beautifully challenging puzzle, where you must carefully position your pads and upgrades to maximize efficiency while trying to outmaneuver your opponents. Will they slash prices to climb the turn order? Will it be by $1 or $2? How low should you go? These are the tense decisions that set the tone for the round. Once everyone has finalized their choices, the player screens are lifted, revealing your opponents' plans and shaping the direction of the rest of the game. From this point on, the turn order largely dictates how the round will unfold. Being lower in the order often forces you to pick from the market leftovers, especially when it comes to selling your goods. The earlier your turn, the better your chance to sell before demand dries up, making timing a crucial element of the game. What I enjoy most is how all key aspects of development, technology, logistics, and production, are equally important. You need technology to unlock new customers and benefit from powerful bonuses, but without expanding your global reach, you won’t have enough markets to sell in. Similarly, without adequate production, you won’t be able to sell enough smartphones to score victory points and win. Each decision feels interconnected, adding layers of depth to every choice you make throughout the game. After several plays, across different player counts, I can confidently say it’s a game I truly enjoy and one I can wholeheartedly recommend. Surprisingly, my wife also enjoyed it, despite the fact that the theme and aesthetic aren’t typically her style. I think this speaks to the game’s strengths, particularly in terms of how quick it is to set up and pack away, how easy it is to teach, and the fluidity of its mechanics and round structure, which felt almost intuitive to complete. Our first game together was at the two-player count, and it took less than an hour to teach and play, perfect for a midweek game night! That said, the game isn’t without its flaws. Smartphone Inc. shines brightest with more players, ideally at the maximum five-player count. With five players, you can skip the use of the Retailer tiles and enjoy the entire board, which makes the competition for market control and selling Goods feel truly cutthroat. In contrast, playing with two or three players can feel somewhat underwhelming. There’s less tension, and it’s easier to predict your opponents’ moves, which means the consequences of a strategic misstep are not as dramatic. However, would I still play with only two players? Absolutely. At its core, Smartphone Inc. is a thoughtful and engaging economic strategy game. Even with lower player counts, I find myself making different decisions in each game, and the variety of strategic options keeps the game fresh and replay-able for me. 🅴🆇🅿🅰🅽🆂🅸🅾🅽 I’ve since learnt about the " Smartphone Inc. Update 1.1 expansion ", which I regret not knowing about sooner. It offers four new modules and a dedicated 2-3 player game board, plus a Hardcore Mode, which, by all accounts, greatly enhances the experience for smaller groups. Tracking down a copy is now at the top of my list, as it seems like it would significantly improve the two- or three-player games and add even more depth to an already great game. So, if you are a fan of games that involve pre-programming your turn actions, elements of area control, racing to claim Victory Points and other in-game goals, then this is definitely a game to check out! (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Arcane Wonders for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzleByMail #MemoryPuzzle #Party #USA #ArcaneWonders

LOCATION: Fribourg, Switzerland Photo above is property of Friscape Photos above are property of Friscape 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Bank Robbery 📅 DATE PLAYED : August 15, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Heist 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 100-150 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [41:44] 📖 THE STORY The Vault Bank in Fribourg has received a new shipment of gold, which will soon be redistributed. Thanks to the incompetence of its employees, you have managed to make your way into the building and now find yourselves standing at the front desk. Surely, nothing now lies between you and the gold? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE There is no denying that you are in a bank; the design is well executed with a large number of props and key bank features, such as a vault door and safe deposit boxes. It was refreshing to see that the props could all be moved and interacted with, since many modern rooms tend to make their props immovable, which I find, breaks the immersion. Although the game does not occupy the largest footprint, it still manages to be effective and creative with what it does have. This involved constantly moving throughout the space, revisiting areas you may have already passed by. The game follows a nonlinear path, making it ideal for teams of two or six, since they can actually separate and all do something themselves. We worked together on all the puzzles throughout, meaning we took a slower time, but were able to see everything the room offered. The puzzles were somewhat thematic, but what made them standout for us was the interconnecting logic that linked mini-puzzles within the larger puzzle. It was a simple, yet clever, design choice to make the game more accessible to families and less experienced players. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK As much as we praised the appearance of the room, there were several faults which do distract from the overall immersion. The first is the numerous ‘do not touch’ stickers which cover many areas, some of the materials are also looking a little worn and could do with being replaced. Lastly, I would say the interior of the vault is underwhelming and nowhere near as full of gold as we had expected. The story is very simple, it would have been nice to have encountered some kind of twist or evolution during our play to enhance our experience. The price for the room, especially at 2-3 players, is higher than the value of the return. For such a simply constructed room that occupies a relatively modest size, and lacks any kind of special effects or expensive technology driven puzzles, the cost per person is too high when compared to others in the Swiss market. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a very worthwhile game for beginners and families who are looking for a simple, yet rewarding escape game. We enjoyed playing as just a twosome and would not recommend teams of higher than four due to the limited floor space within. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is not available on site. There are several car parks in the near vicinity. Players will register and pay at the reception desk of the upstairs bowling alley. A member of Friscape will then come to greet you and escort you downstairs to their rooms. Downstairs there are some shelves for your belongings and seating. There are no secure lockers. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank Friscape  for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Friscape #Heist #Fribourg #Switzerland

LOCATION: Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA Photo above is property of HomeTown Escapes Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Island 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 25, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Survival 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $25.00/ pp (Min. 2 ppl) (Children ages 7 and under are free) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY The last of the island’s former castaways has passed away. The Professor left behind a journal asserting that the oft-believed-to-be-extinct dodo bird was actually still alive on the island! Yet, this was met with widespread disbelief, damaging his reputation. You have been hired by the descendants of the Professor to seek out proof that he was correct (and perhaps help to save the dodo’s future). Yet, just as you arrive, a massive storm appears to be heading your way that will destroy any evidence (and perhaps any dodos) in just one hour. It’s up to you to see if the story is real! 🎯    HIT THE BULLSEYE It’s refreshing when you come across completely original themes like this one! In addition to the exciting possibility that dodos are, in fact, NOT extinct, older players will surely recognize another underlying thematic nod to a cult classic TV show. Overall, a light, entertaining, and creative storyline for the game! While some aspects of the set are more simple, there are several notable areas and a few standout custom pieces that were great to play with. This game has a mix of puzzles, including two in particular that we found highly satisfying and well-implemented. This game ends with a bang! We were utterly delighted with a conclusion that left a lasting impression and fit the spirit of the game. 🧩   MISSED THE MARK Gameplay overall felt a bit more task-oriented than their other rooms that we played. And, while the flow was fairly linear, it was not always clear what the next step should be or which puzzles are solvable at a given time. " The Island " had just recently opened when we played, and Hometown Escapes were still working out a few kinks. One tech puzzle completely malfunctioned, and there were opportunities to enhance the storyline and tighten up some of the gameplay. Their manager was very excited for feedback, and we have no doubt that this game will only get stronger with time(Update 10/9/2024: According to the owner, this has been fixed). 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " The Island " has incredible potential. The unique theme is both fun and refreshing, and yielded one particularly memorable moment. While it still had a few growing pains when we played shortly after release, we expect these to be smoothed out with a bit more time. Bringing a new concept and inventive puzzles - as they have done here - is what keeps the escape room world from becoming stale! If they can get the gameplay up to par with their standout room, " Shady Lady Saloon ", the entertainingly quirky theme will be a real draw for anyone looking for something a bit different. As it is, it’s still a nice option for families or newer players, and a lot of enthusiasts will get a kick out of this lighthearted, quirky game. ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking spots available in front. There is a small lobby, as well as an additional waiting area with seating. There are bathrooms, free lockers, and a water cooler available. They also have a small meeting room that can be rented out for birthday parties or other events. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the owner, the room(s) (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank HomeTown Escapes  for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLEscapeRoom #EscapeRooms #HomeTownEscapes #Survival #SouthCarolina #USA

LOCATION: Zürich, Switzerland Photo above is property of Escape City Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Titanic 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 3, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 99-210 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [21:10] 📖 THE STORY The Titanic is sinking in the icy Atlantic, and you and your crew are trapped in the engine room with no way to reach the lifeboats. You have just 60 minutes to escape, solve puzzles, and navigate the chaos of the sinking ship—all while keeping your balance and your head above water. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Beginning the game handcuffed in the engine room was a nice thematic touch, when comparing the game to the blockbuster movie; putting us in the shoes of Jack, who also found himself handcuffed when the iceberg hit. The decoration in Titanic is to a high standard, considering it is a mass market game. The abundance of pipework, machinery and other soft furnishings made the game less ‘boxy’ than several others at Escape City, offering a better level of immersion and realism. We were impressed by the dynamic journey that has you climbing and balancing your way through the engine room to an office, to a corridor, and then to some strange space, which I am not sure what it should be representing. Overall, the puzzles managed to remain relevant to the theme in some way, whether it being directly to the Titanic story or to ships in general. The earlier puzzles in the engine room were perhaps the most enjoyable. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Unfortunately, the game ended unexpectedly and a bit too quickly. We were surprised to find ourselves at the final door, feeling like the story hadn’t fully resolved. The abruptness left us craving more, especially after a setup that hinted at a hunt for the legendary lost jewel and the hope of escaping on a lifeboat—neither of which materialized in the finale. A more conclusive or dramatic ending would have brought a stronger sense of closure. While the puzzles were thematically strong, there simply weren’t enough of them to fill the experience fully, particularly for a group. We missed the sense of team involvement that comes with cooperative puzzles, which could have added an extra layer of excitement and interaction to the experience. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Despite our reservations with both the game’s length and the puzzle substance, we still felt that the game had a certain charm about it that would endear those who play it. The level of difficulty is very low, making it a great gateway escape room for people getting into the hobby for perhaps the first time. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available on site. Parking is available around the escape room. The escape room is about a 10–15-minute walk from the train station, which is only one stop away from Zurich’s main station. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for sale. Photos above are property of Escape City (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank Escape City  for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeCity #Adventure #Zurich #Switzerland

Photo above is property of One Crime Story Company: One Crime Story Game: The Case of Alexander Morrison Country: Portugal 🇵🇹 Language: English, Portuguese, Spanish Type of Game: Tabletop Game 📬 Genre: Murder Mystery Date Played: November 15, 2024 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 7/10 Size of Team: 1-5+ ppl (ages 14+) Time: Unlimited (Approximately 1-2 Hrs.) Price: 40€ 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Alexander Morrison was found dead in his apartment in Vale Seco in an enigmatic way. A scandal at the company he worked for shook the city of Vale Seco in the previous weeks. All eyes point towards Alexander as the person in charge of the big accounts. Several suspects were pointed out for his death, but without ever ruling out the possibility that it was suicide or an accident. In addition to possibly being involved in this defiance at the company and according to the pink magazines, Alexander is still involved in a love triangle. Video above is property of One Crime Story 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ The production is impressive from the get go, starting with the artful collage on the box, to the quality and realism of the printed materials themselves. They've done a great job of representing the case, which is important because a lot of the story is communicated through the visuals, and it's the kind of realistic case file game where you are going to be lingering and pondering over the pieces as you mentally work the case. So you're going to want it to be evocative as well as informationally communicative, which I think they have nailed. My only micro grip is this: first in the use of cursive, make sure it is the optimally legible kind, and secondly, because they had to fit all the contents within the parameters of the box, some of the text is very minute and straining to read. Minor criticisms but you may want to have a magnifying glass handy for a couple bits. Otherwise a very sharp and professional production which sets the standard for case file realism. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 The game is styled as a realistic case file, and it does a good job of having that feel without overwhelming you with material. It does a good job of giving you a sense of a multiplicity of interconnected means and motives. I liked the story, it was believable, maybe not wholly in the end, but it had the airs of a good mystery, and I liked the characters and their motives - they did a fantastic job of world building and setting the scene. It could have been a little more twisty, but it had its secrets to reveal. The game is complex enough that you are going to need to take notes, and will have you going through the familiar and fun phases of starting with being completely without a clue, to slowly building a picture through the leads, to finally grappling with the burden of untangling a final challenging conundrum. Overviewing the game I can see how they designed the structure of the puzzles leans on the side of being more linear for sake of ease of play, meaning the process of elimination is less evidence triangulation to do, though the final solve actually comes from several pieces. It has an expansive variety of ways in which to eliminate suspects, with an interesting set of materials to interpret. I think the level of the focus of the creators of the game was focused on making every solve different, which they've done quite well, but I think in future games they should layer this process a little more, adding greater degrees of complexity to the triangulation of evidence, as well as evolving the story of the motives more from out of these revelations, as opposed to simply picking the right one. I feel because realistic case files don't have the benefit of including many abstract puzzles, they really need to make a layered cake out of what appears at first to be quite simple facts on the surface. Of course it depends on what level of difficulty you are calibrating your games towards, but this is the direction these games should tend towards if they want to create ever greater A-ha moments, which is what it's all about at all levels of gameplay Photo above is property of One Crime Story 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 In a way it is straightforward in its process of deduction. Use the information to methodically eliminate suspects while building a picture of what actually happened. I wouldn't say it's as perfectly layered as it could have been. Some of the eliminations are a bit too plain-faced, and what emerges therefore may be in itself both varied and clever, if not quite having enough of a mysterious core, nor be as revealing in its resolution as one would hope. If the depth of the story and the puzzling are intertwined, and if one is too surface then so will the other be. Why couldn't X suspect have done it?: Because Y evidence seems to simply communicate that they weren't there because of Z reason - but the final layer of solving must ideally be significantly more complex than this, and must be the product of a longer process of deduction. Its virtue though may actually be that there is just the right amount of complexity, of required deduction and triangulation, without becoming too abstract or obtuse. The elimination of the final group of suspects and explaining the mystery is still quite a challenging - and thus also rewarding - bit of thinking. They had the right idea for sure, it just needed to be taken one layer farther - which is something I've always been preaching about these games. Photos above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Would I recommend " The Case of Alexander Morrison "? Yes, I think it's a well done realistic case file for your average amateur sleuth. My first impression in engaging with the material is that they've hit the stylistic nail on the head. The game has a definite air of intrigue, and I really enjoyed the process of immersing myself in the material. A good mystery game is ultimately measured by its puzzles, and design wise the gameplay is smart, albeit conventional. In retrospect looking over playing the game it does the foundational parts of a mystery game well, the variety of the forms of elimination, and the swirling and interconnection of motives, but the higher level layers it struggles with, beyond having a strong final conundrum. It's really hard to create a mystery that is at all times logical and plausible as well as being continuously novel. I feel with these creators though that they are just getting started, and I'm sure they will grow, and so I'm intrigued to play what they come out with next. (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank One Crime Story for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #AndrewWoods #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzleByMail #MurderMystery #OneCrimeStory #Portugal

LOCATION: Sydney, NSW, Australia Photo above has been provided by The Enigma Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Date Played :   Dec 1, 2018 Price :  $38-$45/pp (pending on the amount of ppl) Length of Time:   60 Minutes Total # of Players:   Up To 6PPL Difficulty Level :  4.5/10 Public/Private :  Public Escaped?   Yes Hint:   Make sure you tune in... For our first escape room experience in Sydney, Australia, we decided to visit The Enigma Room and try their "In Memoriam" room. When we arrived, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The lobby/ waiting area is a little bit on the small side w/ one 2-seater couch available. I guess since they only have two rooms at their location, they don't expect too many people at the same time. This room borrows a little bit from the movie "Inception" and "Being John Malkovich" where you are traveling into a woman in a coma's mind and reliving her memories. The room decor could use a little bit of renovations. The puzzles were fairly unique w/ some interesting challenges about random knowledge. Overall, the concept was entertaining but w/ a little bit of upgrades it would be a huge improvement. *** We regret to inform you that "The Enigma Room" has closed its doors. *** Disclosure: We thank The Enigma Room for media discount tickets for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TheEnigmaRoom #Mystery #Australia